Test BMW 135i Convertible and Mini John Cooper Works Convertible

D that smaller siblings want to measure themselves against bigger ones is in the nature of things. With boys in particular, repeated trials of strength are just as inevitably part of growing up as the first tender fuzz on the upper lip. This does not apply to car tests. Here, the journalle mostly strictly adheres to what the builder specifies and what appears opportune according to the respective classification. As far as pairing in comparison tests is concerned, traditional class society usually applies.

Two dissimilar brothers in direct comparison

Thinking outside the box has quite tempting alternatives. Why - so the heretical question - you shouldn't even compare two dissimilar brothers of the same group to each other Horses blessed the other. And open. If necessary, the neatly crafted roofs of both cars give you a view of the hopefully clear sky at the push of a button.

We're talking about the Mini John Cooper Works and the BMW 135i Cabriolet. Two brothers who are divided by a lot, but who also have a lot in common. For example the space for four or the blind trust in the advantages of forced ventilation. In the powerhouse of Mini, an exhaust gas turbocharger blows the attack, the BMW 135i Cabrio breathes two additional lives. As is common with siblings, there are still differences in character. While the loader's work on the JCW Mini is quite noticeable, the uniformity of the power delivery of the twin-turbo in-line six in the 135i is more reminiscent of a powerful naturally aspirated engine than a turbocharged engine. That fits the overall impression of the two soft-top convertibles.

The big-eyed mini is aimed at the younger lifestyle clientele

Where the big-eyed mini is lively and smartly aimed at the younger lifestyle clientele the 135i with its shimmering silvery cap is more of a saturated clientele. The British-German comes across as open and closed, stepped and compact, with the Bajuwaren, when the top is opened electrically, a miraculous change takes place: the stocky, muscular appearance disappears with the cap, as it were in the sinking. What remains is a slim and slender oneCompanion for almost all situations. Only long vacation trips with four people are likely to fail because of the trunk volume, which is not really generous even in the one.

Apart from that, the 135i Cabriolet is hardly inferior to the 335i Convertible, which has recently been provided with a hardtop, in terms of quality and comfort. The seats are comfortable and well contoured, the convertible top is superbly finished and the noise level in the interior is pleasantly moderate despite the soft top and even when driving faster with the roof closed. At the same time, the soft hat only adds around 100 kilograms to the weight balance of the single instead of just under 200 kilograms, as is the case with the three-person convertible. Ergo, the BMW 135i also competes openly with a comparatively well-trained 5.5 kilograms per hp. A value that the Mini JCW Cabrio, which is almost 400 kilograms lighter with a live weight of 1,280 kilograms, cannot beat.

The little turbo athlete has to set 6.1 kilograms in motion with each of its 211 horsepower. This and the ESP, which is not completely stationary, also prevent top values ​​in the acceleration measurement. With 7.1 seconds, the open Mini was two tenths of a second behind the factory specification. The front-wheel drive car with the standard electronic limited-slip differential does not lack temperament.

Hardly anyone needs more power in everyday life

Those who still have it should - like the 135i convertible - have it have a perfect weight balance and traction. Then, despite the almost identical pulling power of the engine, things go much faster from a standing start, as the sprint test shows. The four tenths of a second that the front-wheel drive Mini loses before reaching 40 km /h on the BMW with rear-wheel drive is carried along by the little brother. Beyond 160 km /h, the air for the small-volume turbo engine becomes thinner anyway, so that the advantage of the large over the small convertible up to 180 km /h increases to 5.2 seconds.

When comparing the pro The financial resources to be expended on horsepower, however, the difference between the large and the small BMW offspring is just as marginal as in the slalom course, which both cars rush through at an average speed of over 67 km /h. At the tenth emergency stop from 100 km /h, the 135i, which is significantly heavier at 1,674 kg, comes to a halt around half a meter earlier than the 1,280-kg convertible of British descent, which gives the Mini another point in the sport auto -Evaluation costs.

In the final chase on the 2.6 kilometer long small circuit in Hockenheim, however, the two opponents are tied not only in terms of points. In their pace, which is fundamentally committed to neutrality, fraternal similarities flash up. That the Mini John Cooper Works Cabriolet comes across a tad jitterier than the stoic, almost a bit boringThe open ones that pull its course are due to the significantly shorter wheelbase. Although the Cooper does not have any significant body protrusions at the front and rear, the front and rear axles are separated by just 2.47 meters. With the 135i Cabrio there is at least 2.66 meters in between, which is equally beneficial for the quiet and the space in the back rows.

Around 19,000 euros price difference between the test cars

A longer chassis of the Assuming pilots, the mini convertible quickly mutates into a three-seater, because in this case the driver's seat maintains an intimate proximity to the rear seat bench. If you are primarily traveling alone or as a couple and are not bothered by the hood resting like a collar on the rear and the resulting restriction of the field of view when driving open, the Mini JCW Convertible could still be at the right address - because the smaller of the two BMW Group Convertible in full test car vest is around 19,000 euros cheaper, consumes 1.3 liters less with 12.5 liters of Super Plus per 100 kilometers and has a significantly livelier temperament overall. Size, strength and a stately stature ensure objective superiority. However, the hearts of the little smart ones often conquer - both in people and in cars.